Towson University has a 136-year history of excellence in education and in the education of educators.    The Mission of Towson University is to be “a premier, metropolitan comprehensive institution, nationally recognized for quality and value, focused on teaching and committed to providing a broad range of opportunities for undergraduate and graduate education.  The undergraduate curriculum will enable students to acquire the intellectual skills essential to effectively communicate in speaking and writing, the gathering and evaluation of information, critical analysis, competence in the use of technology and an appreciation of diverse points of view.”

In order to enable students “to acquire the intellectual skills” and as part of this excellence in education, Towson University has articulated in numerous documents and policies the need for “carefully planned and well-organized course syllabi” (Towson University Faculty Handbook, Chapter 2, page 36).  Syllabi are important to students, faculty, administrators and the institution as a whole.

Student learning is facilitated when course expectations are clearly articulated. While not contractual, syllabi do serve as a vehicle to articulate teaching philosophy, goals and objectives of the course, expectations of workload and grading, class deportment and reinforcement of university policies. 

As indicated in the Towson University Faculty Handbook, Chapter 2, page 36, “carefully planned and well-organized course syllabi” are a hallmark of scholarship and is the second item included in the standards for promotion to Assistant Professor.   “The responsibility for presenting the annual review materials, the five-year comprehensive review, and/or the case for reappointment, promotion, or tenure rests with the faculty member. Each faculty member, with the help of the department chairperson or designee(s), is expected to prepare a dossier that addresses the professorial role expectations of faculty in the university and the candidate’s college and department.   Annual review materials must include the syllabi of current courses.” (TU Policy on Faculty Evaluation for Promotion, Tenure/Reappointment, and Merit 2-28). 

Additionally, a well-organized syllabus protects faculty from student misunderstandings and appeals, particularly as they related to assignments, grading, and academic integrity. 

With respect to administrators, institutional assessment relies upon clear statement of goals and objectives.  As the saying goes, “if we don’t know where we are going, how will we know when we get there”? Well-organized syllabi with clearly articulated goals and objectives make assessment of learning outcomes possible.  

Accreditation and certification guidelines for most disciplines require syllabi that include measurable goals and objectives.  Many disciplines’ accrediting bodies require the submission of syllabi to demonstrate the inclusion of key criteria into a program’s curriculum.

Statement of the Problem 

Among other responsibilities, the University Curriculum Committee’s (UCC) role is “To evaluate for approval all new undergraduate courses and programs” (http://pages.towson.edu/curriculum/AppendixD.pdf , accessed 7/22/02).  This evaluation process is based primarily upon the syllabi submitted for course approval.  It became apparent to many of the faculty serving on the UCC that a number of syllabi that were being submitted for course approvals were poorly articulated, poorly organized and poorly planned.    

It was decided by the members of the UCC that a Syllabus Subcommittee should be created to review the issues surrounding syllabi at Towson University, to present the findings of this review and to provide recommendations for addressing the findings. 

Findings  

Policies related to elements that must be included in syllabi to be approved for use at Towson University are clearly articulated in at least two locations.  The Towson University Faculty Handbook, Chapter 6, page 132 states the following (http://www.towson.edu/senate/facultyhandbook/CHAPTER6.pdf): 

“SYLLABUS

• A Syllabus for each course must be provided that, as a minimum, includes course objectives, a brief description of course content, a bibliography, assignments and requirements, grading procedures, the faculty member's name, office location, and office hours, and a statement that students may not repeat a course more than once without prior permission of the Academic Standards Committee. Any policies that the faculty member expects the University to assist in enforcing, such as attendance and cheating policies, should also be included in the syllabus.”

Likewise, criteria for approval of syllabi at Towson University are and The Towson University Curriculum Committee Policies are described on page D-4 in “APPENDIX D THE CURRICULUM PROCESS AT TOWSON UNIVERSITY” which is located at

http://pages.towson.edu/curriculum/AppendixD.pdf.  This states the following: 

“Syllabus A full description of the course, including the following: 

a. Course objectives;

b. Course content, usually in the form of a schedule of topics and assignments that explicate and justify both the catalog title and level (lower-division, upper-division, graduate);

c. Statements of requirements (readings, assignments, tests, finals) and procedures by which the final grade is calculated;

d. Policies on academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, as it relates to grades;

e. Policy on attendance, as it relates to grades;

f. A statement of how much and what type of additional work is required of graduate students if the course is offered for graduate as well as undergraduate credit; and

g. Bibliography (Required for upper-level and graduate courses).” 

It was also found that as of March, 2002, there are Towson University Faculty Guidelines for Using Turnitin.com which require the following notice which MUST be included in syllabi of those faculty using Turnitin.com: 

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps

Prevent plagiarism from Internet resources.  I may be using this service in this class by submitting portions of questionable text to Turnitin.com for screening.  If I submit portions of your paper, Turnitin.com will store the material in their database throughout the term of the University’s contract. 

Recommendations 

It is recommended that: 

·        Regardless of the mode of delivery of a course, whether on-line or in class, all students receive “carefully planned and well-organized course syllabi”.

·        Orientation of both Full and Part-Time Faculty include, at a minimum, a review of the policies related to creation of syllabi at Towson University. 

·        All Department Chairs reinforce and enforce the Towson University policies related to course syllabi.

·        All Departments keep copies of all course syllabi on file.

·        All Promotion and Tenure and Comprehensive Five Year Review discussions, per the Towson University Faculty Handbook, include a review of current syllabi.

·        All College Curriculum Committee Chairs meet annually with the University Curriculum Committee to discuss issues of concern related to course syllabi.  This would also provide an ideal time to review the current policies related to creation of syllabi.

·        Excellent syllabi for different disciplines be posted at the UCC website to act as models for faculty who are creating new courses. 

The members of the Syllabus Subcommittee of the UCC respectfully submit this report and its recommendations to the University Curriculum Committee for review, comment and approval.